Investigating the influence of building shape and insulation thickness on energy efficiency of buildings

In alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement, the EU reinforced its commitment to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. Under the European Green Deal, the EU aims to achieve a “climate-neutral” building stock by 2050. This means that energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings should be reduced to zero through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy integration. The main pathways towards an EU decarbonized building stock have been designed under the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD). Although at the EU policy-making level, things are constantly developing and preparing the next steps towards the 2050 decarbonized building sector objective, there is still much ongoing research and debate related to the implementation of energy efficiency measures, particularly in eastern European countries. This study assesses the influence of building shape and wall insulation thickness on the overall heat transfer of a building and its impact on the annual heating demand. Energy efficiency in buildings is crucial for sustainable and cost-effective operatcoffions, and understanding the factors affecting heat losses is essential for optimizing energy consumption. Three distinct buildings with different A/V (Area to Volume) ratios were investigated, each representing varying architectural designs. Additionally, multiple thermal insulation thicknesses were considered for the walls, ranging from conventional to advanced thickness. The results of this study reaffirm that the A/V ratio plays an important role in a building's energy performance. Higher compactness leads to reduced heating demand, which is particularly an energy efficient design measure that has no costs. The A/V ratio should be prioritized during the design phase of a building. Moreover, national building codes and regulations should consider the A/V ratio as a factor in determining compliance with energy efficiency standards.